Cable - The International Paralympics Nordic Skiing World Cup wrapped up competition this afternoon in Cable, Wisconsin. They hosted eight countries for the competition. Team USA bagged four medals---to put its all-time medal count at sixteen. But this event wasn't just about competing for medals--it was about coming together and not letting physical disability hold you back. It takes drive, perseverance, and absolute dedication to give team US a fighting chance at the Nordic Cup. Coach John Farra sees that in his athletes every day.
"It's real easy to wake up every morning and work for these athletes. They put everything on the line. They're living a very professional athlete lifestyle. Training twice a day and taking care of their bodies, taking care of their minds. And shear passion and work-ethic. It's very great to be a apart of and I'm very proud."Dan Cnossen is a U-S Navy Seal who lost both legs in Afghanistan. That didn't stop him from earning the highest military ranking of Lt. Commander--or pulling in a bronze medal Saturday. "I don't think we need to focus on the disability, just the athletic side of it. In the skiing class, we're skiing with just our upper body. Which any cross country skier is going to respect. The double pull technique...That's all we have available. The standing class is the visually impaired class; it's amazing what they do. But we're just athletes training and competing and working hard at a goal." Military personnel and civilians alike, they all have something to overcome. And something Freestyle Skier, John Oman says is done together. "It makes you feel like everybody else. It makes you feel like a competitor. It gives you that chance to go out and compete and do your thing and be intense. And a lot of it too is making friends with other people that are in a similar situation."